CONVERSION

         
          Continuing our series on the Biblical Order of Salvation (steps one through    
     three are ELECTION, THE CALL, and REGENERATION), we now look at
     step four - CONVERSION.


          Conversion is our willing response to the gospel call, in which we sincerely
     repent of our sins and place our trust in Christ for salvation.


          Before conversion, we were hostile, and at war with God because of our sin-
     fulness.  "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not
     submit to God's law;  indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please
     God" (Romans 8:7-8).

          God must give us the ability to come to Him.  (Jesus said), "This is why I told
     you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him" (John 6:65).

          Since we were unable to please God in anyway, we weren't able to come to Him
     for salvation.  Jesus gives his people the understanding of His gospel to make us
     willing and able to submit to Him.
 
     "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so
     that we  may know Him who is true;  and we are in Him who is true, in His Son
     Jesus Christ.  He is the true God and eternal life" (1 John 5:20).

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          God  then grants us repentance and faith. 
     "Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not
     knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance" (Romans 2:4).
    
     "God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and
     they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being cap-
     tured by him to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:25).

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          We receive the gift of faith.
     "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him
     but also suffer for His sake..." (Philippians 1:29a).

     "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves,
     it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
     Grace, salvation, and faith, are all gifts from God.

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          We repent and trust in Jesus for salvation.

     "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of
     refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send the Christ
     appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the
     things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets long ago" (Acts 3:19-21).

     "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas
     worldly grief produces death" (2 Corinthians 7:10).

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          We confess Jesus as Savior.

     "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God
     raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe
     and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Romans 10:9-10).

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          We receive Him as Lord and Savior.

     "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become
     children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's
     will, but born of God" (John 1:12-13).

          Those who have received Jesus will be changed and live obedient lives.

     "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built
     up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness"
     (Colossians 2:6-7).

        
          As you can see, conversion, as with all the other steps, is totally the work of God,
     and not man!


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          Next time, we'll look at the next three steps in the Biblical Order of Salvation -
     JUSTIFICATION, ADOPTION, AND SANCTIFICATION.